Retrieval and storage device for flexible elements

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for retrieving and storing an elongated flexible element such as an electrical cord, garden hose, air hose, vacuum hose, rope, or the like. The elongated flexible element has a first end for attachment to a service and a second end for attachment to an article to be coupled through the elongated member to the service. The apparatus includes first and second wheels, a framework for supporting the wheels in a use orientation, with peripheral surfaces of the wheels in closely spaced-apart relation. The supporting framework supports the wheels for rotation about their respective axes, the axes extending generally parallel to one another. The space between the wheel peripheries is sufficiently small when the wheels are in the use orientation that the wheel peripheries bear frictionally upon the surfaces of the flexible element to move the flexible element therebetween as the wheels are turned. One of the wheels is turned to retrieve the flexible element. A storage hopper is attached to the support framework for storing the retrieved flexible element.

This invention relates to apparatus for retrieving and storing flexibleelements. The apparatus is particularly useful for retrieving andstoring flexible elements having first and second ends, respectively,for attachment to a service and to an article to be coupled to theservice through the flexible element.

There are several well-known types of storage apparatus and retrievalapparatus for elongated flexible elements, such as electrical cords andwater hoses. See, for example, the following U.S. patents: Hyde, U.S.Pat. No. 2,856,470; Bernard Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 3,106,366; Hagstrom, U.S.Pat. No. 3,837,448; and, Knarreborg, U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,045.

The devices of known prior art flexible element retrieval and storagemechanisms usually include a built-in flexible element, since theflexible element must be especially constructed for use with theretrieval and storage system. For example, devices of the typesillustrated in the aforementioned patents generally require a rotaryelectrical connection between some part of the retrieval and storageapparatus and the flexible electrical cord to be retrieved and storedthereon. Under certain circumstances, a portion of the retrieval andstorage apparatus itself will be "hot", i.e., not isolated from one ofthe conductors of the electrical supply. This is a particularlyundesirable characteristic in view of certain occupational safeyconsiderations.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a retrieval andstorage assembly which is useful with conventional elongated flexibleelements, such as ordinary electrical cords, water hoses, air hoses,vacuum hoses, rope, and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a retrieval andstorage assembly which does not require a rotary connection between theelongated flexible member and a service to which one end of theelongated flexible member is to be coupled.

According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is providedfor retrieving a flexible element having a first end for attachment to aservice, such as an electrical service, a source of water, air, etc.,and a second end for attachment to an article, such as an electricalappliance, or a water hose nozzle, to be coupled through the elongatedmember to the service. The retrieving means includes a pair of wheelsmounted for rotation about their respective axes, the axes extendinggenerally parallel to one another, means for supporting the wheels in ause orientation with their peripheries in closely spaced-apart relationfor rotation about their axes, the space between the wheel peripheriesbeing sufficiently small that they bear frictionally upon the surfacesof the elongated member to move the elongated member therebetween as thewheels are turned, and means for turning at least a first one of thewheels in a direction to cause retrieval of the elongated member.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, theretrieval means are attached to storage means so that the flexibleelement is stored in the storage means as it is retrieved.

Further according to an illustrative embodiment, the means for turningone of the wheels comprises a hand-manipulated crank attached to one ofthe wheels to turn it on its axis.

Additionally, according to an illustrative embodiment, the turning meansfurther includes means for turning the other wheel in the oppositedirection, turning of the two wheels in opposite directions drawing theflexible element between the adjacent surfaces thereof as the flexibleelement is retrieved. Illustratively, the means for turning the otherwheel comprises pulleys coupled to both wheels and a flexible belttrained about the two pulleys, the runs of the belt between the twopulleys crossing to provide the driving connectin between the firstwheel and the other wheel to turn them in opposite directions.

According to an illustrative embodiment, the support means includesmeans for shifting at least one of the wheels from the use orientationto a slip-providing orientation in which the frictional engagementbetween the peripheries of the wheels and the flexible element isreleased to provide for withdrawal of the flexible element from thestorage means between the adjacent wheel peripheries. Illustratively,the shifting means comprises a shiftable support member for movablymounting at least one of the wheels, a spring for urging thelast-mentioned wheel to the use orientation, the spring acting betweenthe shiftable support member and a stationary part of the support means,and a lever for controlling movement of the shiftable support memberfrom the use orientation to the slip-providing orientation.

Further, according to an illustrative embodiment, the storage meansincludes means defining an opening through which the first end of theflexible element is accessible for attachment to the service.

The invention may best be understood by referring to the followingdescription and accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partly fragmentary isometric view of a device constructedaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 takengenerally along section lines 2--2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional side elevational view of the apparatusof FIG. 1, taken generally along section lines 3--3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragementary sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 takengenerally along section lines 4--4 thereof;

FIGS. 5-6 are fragmentary sectional views of the apparatus of FIG. 1taken generally along section lines 5,6--5,6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of another device constructedaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 7 takengenerally along section lines 8--8 thereof;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 7, theapparatus being illustrated in the open position;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of another device constructed according tothe present invention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along sectionlines 11--11 of FIG. 10; and,

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along sectionlines 12--12 of FIG. 11.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1-6, an apparatus 10 constructedaccording to the invention includes a generally right circularcylindrical storage hopper 12 having a bottom 14, a side wall 16, and aslightly domed or pent top 18. Top 18 supports a retrieval mechanismsupport housing 20 having a generally rectangular top wall 22, end walls24, 26 and side walls 28, 30. Top 18 has a generally diametricallyextending slot 32 which connects the storage hopper 12 to the retrievermechanism support housing 20. The illustrative storage hopper 12 andsupport housing 20 are formed in two vertical halves, with half of thestorage hopper being formed jointly with a respective half of theretrieval mechanism support housing 20.

Support housing 20 houses a retrieval mechanism 38 including a wheel 40rotatably supported upon an axle 42 and a wheel 44 rotatably supportedfrom an axle 46. The ends 48, 50 (FIG. 2) of axle 42 extend through theside walls 28, 30 of housing 20 to support wheel 40. One end 52 (FIG. 4)of axle 46 is attached to the distal end 54 of a shiftable support lever56. A proximal end 58 of support lever 56 is pivotally attached, as at60, to side wall 30 of support housing 20. A coil spring 62 is attachedat one end thereof to the distal end 54 of lever 56, and at the otherend thereof to a point 64 in the upper middle of side wall 30. Coilspring 62 normally urges the periphery 66 of wheel 44 toward theperiphery 68 of wheel 40.

An opening 74 is provided in side wall 30 near the bottom thereofadjacent pivot point 60. Opening 74 is provided with a bushing 76 whichpivotally supports a proximal end 78 of a cam lever 80. The distal endof cam lever 80 is provided with a knob 82. Proximal end 78 of cam lever80 extends through the bushing 76 into the interior of support housing20 adjacent an edge 84 of support lever 56. The proximal end 78 of camlever 80 is formed to provide a cam 86 having a generally right circularcylindrical surface 88 (see FIGS. 5,6) with a flat 90 provided therein.Hand manipulation of cam lever 80 to the position illustrated in FIGS.3, 6 results in engagement of the peripheries 66, 68 of wheels 44, 40,respectively, with one another. Manipulation of cam lever 80 to theposition illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 results in disengagement of theperipheries 66, 68 of wheels 44, 40, respectively, from one another.

An opening 94 provided in top wall 22 of the support housing 20 issurrounded by a reinforcing and strain-relieving collar 96. Opening 94is located substantially vertically above the line of intersection ofthe peripheries 66, 68 of wheels 44, 40, respectively, as illustrated inFIG. 6. The peripheries 66, 68 of wheels 44, 40, respectively, areprovided with concave, generally semicircle annular grooves 98, 100,respectively (FIGS. 2,4). The bottoms 102 of grooves 98, 100 areserrated, knurled, axially grooved, or otherwise roughened, asillustrated at 104, to improve the grip of bottoms 102 on an elongatedflexible element 106 (illustrated in broken lines in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and6), such as a water hose.

Means, such as a hand crank 108, is attached to the axle 42 of wheel 40.Cranking action on hand crank 108 rotates wheel 40. When cam lever 80 isin its position illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6, coil spring 62 urges theperipheries 66, 68 of wheels 44, 40, respectively, together, capturingthe elongated flexible element 106 therebetween. Friction between thebottoms 102 of wheels 40, 44 and the surface of the elongated flexibleelement 106 causes flexible element 106 to be fed outwardly (upwardly)through opening 94 as hand crank 108 is rotated in one direction(counterclockwise in FIG. 3), and causes flexible element 106 to be feddownwardly through opening 94 (retrieved) into the storage hopper 12when hand crank 108 is rotated in the other direction (clockwise in FIG.3).

To aid the retrieval of the elongated flexible element 106 into storagehopper 12, wheel 40 is provided with pulleys 110, 112 on the two axiallyoppositely facing sides 114, 116, respectively thereof. Wheel 44 isprovided with pullys 118, 120, on the two axially oppositely facingsides 122, 124, respectively thereof. Flexible belts 128, 130 aretrained about pulleys 110, 118 and 112, 120, respectively. The runs 132,134 of each belt 128, 130 cross each other to provide rotation of wheels40, 44 in opposite directions, whether or not their peripheries 66, 68are touching one another.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an opening 136 is provided in the side wall 16of storage hopper 12 adjacent the bottom 14 thereof. Opening 136provides access to a first end 138 of the elongated flexible element106, such that end 138 can be attached to a service, such as a waterspigot (not shown). The second end 140 of elongated flexible element 106can be coupled to a water spray nozzle or the like (not shown). Thegenerally circular or oval cross section of elongated flexible element106 provides good contact between the flexible element surfaces and thebottoms 102 of annular grooves 98, 100. As the elongated flexibleelement 106 is retrieved by the retrieval mechanism 38 of the embodimentof FIGS. 1-6, it will form a generally helical coil in storage hopper12. Since flexible element 106 is fed generally freely and withouttwisting into hopper 12, it can be removed from the hopper withouttangling or knotting by moving cam lever 80 to the position illustratedin FIGS. 4, 5 and pulling the elongated flexible element 106 from thestorage hopper 12 through opening 94.

It should be noted that in this embodiment, no special or complex rotaryconnection of the service through the elongated flexible element 106 orfrom the flexible element 106 to the device attached to the second end140 thereof is necessary. In the water hose retrieval and storagemechanism, an ordinary water hose can be used with no special adapterapparatus for rotary attachment of the water hose to a water spigot.

Turning now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7-9,those elements numbered identically with the elements in the embodimentsof FIGS. 1-6 perform the same or similar functions.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9, an apparatus 10 includes a case 144having generally rectangular side walls 146, 148, end walls 150,152 anda top 154 and bottom 156. Case 144 includes a built-in handle 158. Theinterior 160 (see FIG. 9) of case 144 is divided generally into astorage portion 12 and a retrieval mechanism support portion 20. Theretrieval mechanism support portion 20 houses a retrieval mechanism 38including a wheel 40 support for rotation upon an axle 42, and a wheel44 supported for rotation on an axle 46. One end 50 of axle 42 extendsoutwardly through an upper corner of side wall 146. A hand crank 108 isattached to end 50 of axle 42.

An opening 94 (FIG. 9) is provided in end wall 150, and an opening 136is provided in end wall 152. In this embodiment, wheels 40, 44 are notshiftable toward and away from one another to engage the elctrical cord106 therebetween. Rather, the electrical cord, which in the instantembodiment is a relatively flat flexible cord, is engaged between theperipheries 66, 68 of wheels 44, 40, respectively, by removing a guidestrip 162, inserting the electrical cord 106 thereunder, and replacingthe guide strip 162. The electrical cord 106 of the embodiment of FIGS.7-9 runs between a pair of guide heads 164, between the peripheries 66,68 of wheels 44, 40 and between a pair of guide heads 166 as it entersor leaves the storage portion 12 of case 144. The closely spaced-apartgenerally cylindrical surfaces of the guide heads 164, 166 preventelectrical cord 106 from entering the storage space 12 with any twists.This is done to minimize the possibility of knotting or tangling whichmight otherwise result from the retrieval of electrical cord 106 andstorage of the cord in the storage portion 12 of the case.

As best illustrated in FIG. 9, case 144 is divided into twosubstantially equal portions 170, 172 joined by a hinge (not shown)along their bottom edges 174. This configuration allows access to theinterior of case 144 to load the electrical cord 106 into the case and,if desired, to remove cord 106 from the case. The male end 138 of cord106 extends through the opening 136 provided in end wall 152. The femaleend 140 of cord 106 extends through the opening 94 provided in wall 150of case 144.

To remove any length of cord 106 from case 144, the female end 140 ofthe cord is pulled from the case through opening 94. As cord 106 isremoved, of course, hand crank 108 turns (counterclockwise in FIG. 7),since the peripheries 66, 68 of wheels 44, 40, respectively,continuously engage the surface of cord 106. To retrieve the cord, crank108 is turned (clockwise in FIG. 7). Friction of the peripheries 66, 68of wheels 44, 40, respectively, against the surface of cord 106 returnsthe cord 106, free of twists, to the storage portion 12 of case 144.

In this embodiment, the periphery 66 of wheel 44 is generally flat. Theperiphery 68 of wheel 40 is serrated to grip the cord 106 surface moresecurely. In the illustrated embodiment, the periphery 66 of wheel 44 iscoated with a soft, rubber-like material to provide better frictionalengagement between wheel 44 and the surface of the cord. In thisembodiment, wheel 44 turns freely on its axle 42, rather than beingdriven from the hand crank 108 through a pulley-and-belt arrangementsuch as that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6.

In a third embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 10-12,those elements numbered identically with the elements in the embodimentsof FIGS. 1-6 and 7-9 perform the same or similar functions.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10-12, the apparatus 10 includes a case 200which is somewhat trapezoidal prism shaped with rounded corners, a flat,generally rectangular bottom 202 and a contoured top 204. As with thecases 12, 144 of the preceding embodiments, case 200 can be manufacturedfrom any suitable material. Desirably, case 200 is molded from ahigh-impact plastics composition. Further, and as best illustrated inFIG. 11, case 200 is blow-molded in one piece with a pair of perimetralridges 206, 208 separated by a vertically extending non-taperedconnector section (not shown). During the assembly of case 200 with itscomponents, the connector section is removed from between the perimetralridges 206, 208, and the contoured top portion 204 of the case is joinedto the bottom and side wall portions 210 thereof by snapping engagementof perimetral ridges 206, 208. The case 200 can be assembled with asuitable adhesive to prevent separation between ridges 206, 208 or, theplastics composition can be of a sufficiently resilient nature that thetop 204 and bottom and side wall portions 210 can be snapped togetherand later separated for any desired purpose. For example, it may bedesirable to maintain only one top portion 204 with several differentbottom and side wall portions 210 having varying capacities, ordifferent contents. The same top portion 204 could then be used as aretrieval mechanism for, for example, a 50 foot electrical cord, a 25foot garden hose, and 200 feet of rope.

Turning now to the specific structure housed within the top portion 204,a first wheel 220 provided with an axle 222 is rotatably supported in anupper forward portion of top portion 204. Axle 222 extends from both theright- and left-hand sides 224, 226 of case 200. The material from whichcase 200 is formed is somewhat self-lubricating. Thus, no specialbearings are provided between the axle 222 and the top portion 204.Further, the material from which the case 200 is constructed issufficiently supportive to withstand the load placed on the materialsurrounding the openings 228 by axle 222, so no additional structure isrequired around the aligned openings 228 in top portion 204 throughwhich axle 222 extends. Depending upon the material used in theconstruction of case 200, it may be desirable to provide supportingbosses, or a supporting web of material, or some other support structurearound openings 228.

The top portion 204 of case 200 is formed to provide a carrying handle230. Forwardly from carrying handle 230, and in the side of the housingportion 218 for the first wheel 220, a pair of slots 232 are formed inthe housing portion 218 side wall. A trigger member 234 is pivotallymounted on the top portion 204 adjacent, and directly overlying, thehandle 230. The trigger member 234 includes two depending ear portions236 which pivotally engage the top 204 adjacent handle 230. Desirably,this pivotal engagement is achieved by providing aligned apertures 240in ears 236 and circular cross-section projections 242 on top 204.

Trigger 234 includes a bifurcated forward portion providing a pair ofarms 244 which extend through slots 232 into the interior of the forwardhousing portion 218. Arms 244 extend longitudinally forward, one arm 244on each of the axially extending sides 246 of the first wheel 220.Adjacent the forward wall 248 of top portion 204, a molded plastic yoke250 is pivotally mounted on the distal ends 252 of arms 244. Yoke 250includes two vertically extending yoke arms 254 and a lower distalconnecting portion 256 connecting the vertically lower end of arms 254.The upper ends of arms 254 are pivotally mounted to the distal ends 252of arms 244 by providing in distal ends 252 aligned apertures 260.Projections 262 provided on the outwardly facing sides of arms 254 snapinto engagement in the apertures 260 to support the yoke 250 from thehandle 230.

A second smaller wheel 264 is mounted for revolution on its axis definedby axially extending projections 266 on wheel 264. Projections 266 snapinto engagement with aligned apertures 268 in arms 254 between thevertically upper ends thereof and the vertically lower end connectingmember 256. While the second wheel 264 illustrated is peaked at 270 atits longitudinal center, it should be understood that different axialsection profile wheels can be provided, depending upon the flexibleelement to be retrieved by the apparatus of FIGS. 10-12. Theillustrative flexible element is a generally flat, two-conductorelectrical cord 272.

Passageways 274, 276 are provided in the forward wall 248 and rearwardwall 278, respectively, of top portion 204. As best illustrated in FIG.10, the male plug 280 of cord 272 projects through the rearward wallopening 276 for access thereto by electrical service. The female plug282 of cord 272 is threaded between the peripheries of wheels 220, 264and extends from case 200 through opening 274.

To dispense the cord 272, the handle 230 is in its position illustratedin solid lines in FIG. 11, permitting the length of cord 272 to passfreely between the peripheries of wheels 220, 264 and through opening274 from case 200. Any desired length of cord 272 can, of course, beremoved from the case 200 simply by pulling on the female plug 282 endof cord 272. To retrieve the dispensed length of cord 272, an operatordepresses trigger member 234 to the position illustrated in broken linesin FIG. 11. This urges yoke 250, and the second wheel 264 supportedthereby, vertically upwardly toward engagement of the wheel 264periphery with the periphery of wheel 220. The cord 272 is capturedbetween the peripheries of the wheels, preventing their engagement.However, the disposition of the cord 272 between the wheel 220, 264peripheries pivotally urges the yoke 250 forward as illustrated inbroken lines in FIG. 11, until the connecting portion 256 of yoke 250lies firmly against the inside of forward wall 248 of the top portion204. With the yoke in this position, the second wheel 264 has risenvertically as high as it can go in the housing and is held tightly withits periphery upwardly against the cord 272. With his free hand, theoperator unfolds the hand grip portion 284 of a collapsible moldedplastic crank handle 286 until the rearward extent 288 of hand gripportion 284 snaps into position in a notch 290 provided in the crankportion 292 of crank handle 286. This downward or outward position ofthe hand grip portion 284 is illustrated, fragmentarily, in broken linesin FIG. 12. The operator then cranks the handle 286, turning it to drivethe wheel 220 in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 11) to retrieve the cord272. When the female plug 284 has reached the opening 274, the cord 272is fully retracted and stored in the bottom housing portion 210 of case200.

As best illustrated in FIG. 12, the crank portion 292 of crank handle286 is provided with a passageway including an upstanding resilient keyportion 296. Each end of axle 222 is provided with a corresponding notch298. The crank handle 286 can thereby be resiliently snapped intoposition on either the right hand side 224 or the left hand side 226 ofaxle 222, as is most convenient for operation by the operator.

The winder for flexible elements, illustrated by the three disclosedembodiments, incorporate a number of features which are desirable inmany fields. First, on a flexible element having first and second endswhich are different, it may be desirable to withdraw one or the otherend from the dispensing apparatus and maintain the other endsubstantially stationary. The disclosed embodiments will accept, forexample, garden hose and electrical cord such that either the male endor the female end can be pulled from between the winding wheel. As hasbeen discussed, the winding and storage mechanism of the instantinvention can be made to accept flexible elements having substantiallyany cross sectional shape. The winders can be constructed to crank fromeither the right- or left-hand side. Further, the winding mechanism canbe motorized as, for example, by a small electric motor. The mechanismof the instant invention will accept different lengths of flexibleelements, provided there is enough space in the storage compartment toaccommodate the length of flexible elements used. When used inconnection with electrical cords, there is no heat build-up due tocurrent through the cord, as there frequently is when such an electricalcord is wound about a cylinder or spool, as in several prior artstructures. The structures of the instant invention keep "flat"cross-sectional flexible elements from twisting, knotting and jammingthe winding mechanism.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for retrieving and storing aflexible element having first and second ends, the apparatus comprisingmeans for retrieving the flexible element and means for providingstorage of the retrieved flexible element, the retrieving meansincluding at least one wheel, means for holding the flexible elementfrictionally against the periphery of the wheel, means for supportingthe wheel for rotation about its axis, and means for turning the wheelin a direction to cause retrieval of the flexible element between thewheel periphery and the holding means, the support means including meansfor shifting the holding means from a use orientation to aslip-providing orientation in which the frictional engagement betweenthe periphery of the wheel and the flexible element is released toprovide for withdrawal of the flexible element from the storage meansbetween the wheel periphery and the holding means, the shifting meansincluding a trigger member and a yoke member actuable by the triggermember, the holding means being supported from the yoke member, the yokemember having a slip-providing position in which the holding means isout of frictional engagement with the elongated member, and a flexibleelement retrieval position in which the holding means is held infrictional engagement with the flexible element.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the means for holding the flexible element frictionallyagainst the periphery of the first-mentioned wheel comprises a secondwheel supported for revolution about its axis from the yoke member, theaxes of the first-mentioned wheel and second wheel extending generallyparallel to one another.